So far, Harlow's #watermelondress was on both Inside Edition and Kelly and Ryan Live. Mazzy was like, "Wait! What about MY watermelon dress???" She's right. The pink fringe cap sleeve is an excellent addition. Still think #babymeloning is the better hashtag!

Everybody is smiling and looking at camera! I just posted my latest travel vlog which follows our three day road trip in Central New York! It rained a lot but we still had tons of fun. Don't miss Harlow dancing like a robot and Mazzy talking "duck." I think this is my favorite travel video so far. YouTube link in bio!

She's getting her hair cut today. I was going to leave work and meet her and our sitter there but I'm too swamped. It's the first time she's getting a cut without me. Fingers crossed they don't chop it all off or give her faux hawk!

If you don't already know, "a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios with milk" has replaced Harlow's waffle obsession. She asks for it every single morning, in those words exactly. If I were to say, "Harlow, do you want a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios?" She would say, "Yes, WITH MILK." Also, ever since Harlow and I made that video about how to make cereal (link in bio- FYI, the longer YouTube version is even better than the one I put on Insta), Harlow has been really into making her own breakfast in the morning. Her and Mazzy have even taken our cereal orders at night and then pre-set the table with our names written on the napkins. Then they instruct us to stay in bed until everything is ready. It's actually some of the few times we've been able to sit down to breakfast all together as a family at the dining room table. Thanks @cheerios for helping make the mornings easier this summer! #generalmillscereal #sponsored

Revisiting Resolutions My 2yo Made Last Year: How Did She Do?

Mazzy's taller and her hair is longer, but has she really GROWN since last year?

One year ago, I wrote "15 New Year's Resolutions I Wish My 2yo Would Make" which basically listed all the things from naptime to mealtime I hoped would change over the course of 2012. Today, we're going to see how far my daughter has come. If at all.

Did she keep her resolutions? Or did she break them on January 2nd like everybody else?

Her 15 resolutions below with her progress in red underneath…

1. I will put my toys away after I am done playing with them. I will even organize the fake food in my fake refrigerator.

It all depends on whether Mom makes me. Sometimes, if I put up enough of a fuss, Mom will realize it's much easier to do it herself. Pick your battles, right Mom?

2. Due to efforts that proved futile in 2011, I will stop resisting diaper changes. Besides, potty training is scheduled to begin shortly and then I will be free to poop on the floor.

3. I will let my mother wipe my face with a wet washcloth. Particularly if my face is covered with dried snot and old food. She is just trying to protect herself from judgement once we leave the house.

I will willingly let my face be touched with a wet washcloth on a COLD DAY IN HELL.

4. I will cut back my security items to one. Getting upset because I cannot carry both blankies, Abby Cadabby and all three sippy cups (milk, water and juice) at once is silly and unproductive.

I no longer carry around a plethora of sippy cups but I have increased my blankie allottment to five. There's New Boo, Big Boo, Tiny Boo, Old Boo, and Piece of Old Boo. That being said, my mother only lets Tiny Boo leave the house.

5. I will learn to love my mittens.

Accomplished!

6. When I finish eating a food item but still have some left in my hand, I will put it down on my plate in a separate discard pile instead of throwing it directly on the floor.

I don't throw food on the floor. That would mean touching it. I haven't touched dinner since 2010.

7. I will work on broadening my cultural horizons. I hear there is a world beyond Sesame Street.

Yes! There is Curious George, Fireman Sam, Dora, Diego, Wonder Pets, the Fresh Beat Band, Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Calliou! How silly I did not appreciate the cultural value of all of these last year.

8. I will limit the number of times I say the word "again" in any given situation. I understand that even if I find something fun enough to do over and over, after THREE, it ceases to be fun for everyone else.

What? Can you say that AGAIN? AGAIN! AGAIN! AGAIN!

9. Similarly, I will switch up my preferred bedtime books. I have a large book collection and there is no reason why I should make my mother read the same three books night after night.

Totally rocked this one. I now require my mom to read four different bed time books every night, chosen so carefully that it extends my bedtime at least one full hour. Then I must sleep with a pile of ten different books and then have my supply replenished some time in the middle of the night. Basically, there is never enough books.

10. When outside on the streets of Manhattan, I will refrain from licking random glass surfaces.

11. I will reframe my concept of naptime to both a privilege and a gift. Certain people would do almost anything (pay large sums of money, commit heinous acts, etc.) if it meant they would be allotted one hour in the middle of the day to lie on a bed. (Or so my mom tells me.)

I have totally embraced my nap but now my mom is trying to take it away because it makes me sleep better at night. WHAT IS WITH PARENTS??? Can't they pick a tactic and stick to it??

12. I will make an effort to expand my palate. I'm sure there are other culinary delights I can learn to enjoy besides crackers and bagels.

Like lollipops. And toast.

13. I will not throw a tantrum the second something goes wrong. Instead I will think about my dilemma, determine the most effective course of action, and then implement a carefully thought out solution.

I'm not sure I understand what this means, but it's making me ANGRY.

14. I will relinquish control of my iPad for a few hours a week so that my parents can check their email, play Angry Birds, etc. While I'm at it, I will stop referring to the iPad as "MINE".

Mom just got a mini iPad for the holidays so the old iPad is officially MINE. However, my parents have implemented this nasty timer thing whenever I use it and they appear to be sticking to it. Sigh.

15. I will stand still for approximately one minute a day. In that time, I will look my mother in the eye and tell her I love her. Like I mean it.

Yep, I do that all the time. Watch. "Hey, Mom? I love you… Now give me a lollipop."

————————————–

What's your kid's biggest goal for 2013? Mine is all about potty training. If Mazzy's not potty trained by the time she's four, I'm pretty sure they revoke your parenting rights.

Woo, the mittens goal accomplished. We really have to celebrate the small victories, otherwise, we might get depressed ;). And you got a iPad Mini, awesome! Good luck on the potty training. I need all the (funny) advice I can get!

Love this, it’s great to know my toddlers not the only one who throws the rest of her food on the floor when she’s done eating. Why waste food, I don’t understand it! Her resolutions will be to get rid of the pacifier and start potty training – or at least stop fighting like I’m giving her shots when I change her diaper.
Good luck Mazzy on 2013 resolutions!

Resolutions for my 2 (3 this month) year old, highly colored by a couple of weeks of being sick recently:
-I will learn to sleep at night when I’m sick: when I wake up every 30 minutes all night long crying for Mom, I am super crabby constantly and the sick lasts longer
-I will not meltdown if I can’t have my way immediately (this happens even with a delayed yes – however it also ties into being crabby from being tired and sick since he’s normally a pretty cheerful kid)
-I will wash my hands with soap and water upon command
-I will resolve to try to find two of my own shoes that match when being rushed out the door instead of whatever combination of the family’s shoes happen to be closest
-I will not sword fight Mommy’s garden plants
-I will try to use my words when I’m upset
-I will learn to take smaller bites and put less food in my mouth instead of half-choking myself and spitting food out at every single meal and snack all day, every day
That’s all I can think of for now. I’m interested to see what others come up with!

Well Kyle is 2 right now so he could do with adopting all of those resolutions. Although I have mittens down, because I sewed them on to his coat sleeves so he has no choice. And if I could get him to have a security item that was not my hair, I would let him carry as many as he wanted.
Also, I totally have my old ipad to my toddler after getting a mini for myself. He is now free to watch Pocoyo in every language it comes in.

2013 Resolutions for my 3yo son (turning 4 in June). This list could be much longer, but these are the most important goals, I think:
1. I will be more receptive to potty training. As in, I will actually go potty on the toilet, not right after I get off the toilet.
2. I will sever my attachment to grey puppy. There’s really no reason for that gross thing to leave my bedroom.
3. I will stop throwing things on the floor that are in my way. Instead, I’ll place them neatly in a different place.
4. I will stop feeding the dog. Riley is fat enough.

Hah! Love these. Mine was to get rid of my toddler’s nighttime pacifier. EPIC FAIL!!! Even after he bit through it and complained that it “wasn’t working,” I squandered the opportunity to wean him off it! Instead, I said, “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll run to the store and get you a new one plus a backup!” Now he sleeps with one and clutches the other so tightly, god help us all if I try to pry it out of his little hands.

Arg computer ate my comment! For potty training, she is biologically old enough to have control, so is likely a psychological thing … plus maybe hates idea of sitting? So why not try using iPad to your advantage. Can play on iPad for 10 minutes of sitting on the potty, then gets extra 15 minutes off the potty if actually pees/poops. It would provide the incentive to try, plus she would be n good company, don’t we all bring the iPad into the bathroom with us? 😉 lol!

My 4yo’s resolution is to stop resisting our requests to use the potty before we go anywhere in the car. Instead, she will agree to go when she is in the car and buckled into her carseat. And then she will gleefully take 10 minutes to do her business, making us even later for our destination. She’s a peach.

My New Year’s Resolution for myself: comment on your blog and stop lurking. Nailed it! Resolution for 4 year old Alyssa: stop sucking thumb! Who am I kidding… She’s going to college sucking her thumb. Resolution for baby Payton: sleep in crib and not Mommy’s arms! I’m really looking forward to being able to eat a meal with two hands again someday. Love your blog! It gives me something to read while nursing at 3:00 A.M.

“I don’t know what this means, but it’s making me ANGRY.” YES. If I’m convinced mine is a hormonal psychopath now, what does this mean when she’s 13? “My Bat Mitzvah better come with Beyonce.” That’s what I’m afraid of.
For us, I’m hoping in 2013 we discover that pooping on a toilet is a much cleaner, faster solution, and putting our hands in our mouth is not a good response to being sad/surprised/scared/excited/bored. Happy New Year!

Resolutions for my 19-month-old to adopt:
1. I will not scream or make my baby pterodactyl noise as a first response to everything. I will use my words to pleasantly ask my mom for “help, please” or “up, please” or “more, please,” because I know I’m driving my mom crazy with all my screaming.
2. I will trust that my mom and dad know how to help my hands from being cold in the winter and I will WEAR MY MITTENS.
3. I will hug my big brother, who I really do love, at bedtime when he asks for one, because I know it really bugs him when I run away instead of hugging him.
4. I will leave next year’s Christmas tree ornaments on the tree.
5. I will not take everything out of the pantry everytime my mom turns her back or tries to cook.

I would love for Lil’ Bit to willingly join us at dinner when asked, not insult the meal I’ve so lovingly prepared for her, sit upright in her chair, not put her bare feet on the table, and… oh, yes: EAT. Is that too much to ask?
IS IT?!?!?!

My daughter wasn’t potty trained until 4 months after her 4th birthday, so don’t beat yourself up about it! :-). She is 5 now, and has given up her pacifier completely, and only uses her security items at bedtime. 🙂

Tiny advice from a new Grandma: Breathe–it’s going to be ok!! Yes, you’re scarring your kids for life, I called it ‘character building’, lol! Just focus on NOT raising spoiled brats. It’s not easy–I had mine back to back to back (currently they’re 20,21, & 23) and as hard as the first 5 years are–the last 5 are harder so don’t waste your time beating yourself up over finger-sucking, security items, or potty-training. Pat yourself on the back every day for not throttling anyone-including your husband! 🙂
Just breathe…

1. I will accept that Patty Paci can’t stay in my mouth any longer
Still working on it! I’m four now, but Momma can’t tear that thing out of my mouth for a second.

2. I won’t ask for presents everytime someone comes over
Still working on it! My room could be E-bay if I wanted it to, but I’ll keep on playing victim

3. I will stop speaking gibberish when somebody brings a baby over to my house and my spotlight is lost.
Still working on it! Goo goo goo….

4. I will share with friends
Accomplished! I share EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK with my friends

5. I wil accept that I have a brother and sister, and that not everything is about me. Still working on it, but do you want me to preform a dance number for you? It will take attention from everyone else.

6. I will understand that my mittens are for winter only.
Still working on it.

7. I will understand that Calliou, Abby Cadabby, Oomi Zoomi, Mickey, and Dora can’t actually hear me when I shout at the T.V when they ask if I want to help.
I’ll just yell louder, then!

8. When I leave preschool, I leave preschool, I’m not going back until tomorrow. Still working on it, but preschool is almost over with.

9. I will eat other things. My mom is tired of slicing peaches and cutting bagels in half everyday. Accomplished. Now I ask for lollipops and toast with melted butter. The toast has to be put in the microwave though.

10. I will sing something else besides “The Wheels on The Bus”
Now I sing “Old MacDonald” over and over.

1. I will stop insisting on the grownup mugs at breakfast, because I have breakfast on the couch and I spill. My momma has had to clean the couch blankie everyday.
Still working on it! I like the grownup cup.

2. I will make my bed everyday and that means actually pulling the sheets and blankets up.
Still working on it, I’m only six yah know!

3. I will wear whatever socks you put with my clothes. I hear I have more socks then the Handy Manny ones.
Accomplished! I wear the Spongebob ones now.

4. I won’t watch the same episodes of Handy Manny everyday. Maybe I’ll watch Spongebob instead.
Almost there! I watch Spongebob every other day.

5. I won’t take a Snickers from the candy rack beside the register at the supermarket. If I do, I won’t cry like you killed Spongebob when you put it back.

1. When somebody calls me Josephine, (That’s my real name) I will not scream “MONKEY!” and watch people that don’t know me that well get confused.
Still working on it. Monkey, will forever be my name.

2. I will eat a full strawberry, because my mom is tired of dicing them.
Still working on it. Diced ones taste better.

3. Shoes will stay on my feet while I stay in the stroller. I will not kick them off, causing my parents to go searching for them. Still working on it, even though my parents insist on it being accomplished soon.

4. I will stop climbing everything in sight. Still working on it. I can climb onto the counter to get the cookie jar, but give me something like monkey bars, and I’ll cry.

5. I will learn to like tomatoes. Accomplished! I love cherry tomatoes now.

6. When my mom’s friend brings a baby over, I will not try and hold the carrier. I understand that I drop everything. Still working on it, can I hold your baby?

1. I will stop throwing my toy food at my twin sister. I know she hates having plastic tomatoes thrown in her face. Still working on it. I get a time-out now for it now. “Sigh”

2. I won’t yell “MAY-ZEE” when I wake up. I will accept my older sister has gone to escape my craziness and learn so she can get the heck out of our house. (MAY-ZEE is 11)

Still working on it. “Where’s MAY-ZEE?”

3. I will put my books back on the bookshelf instead of taking the ones that I put on the floor and chucking them behind the bookshelf. I know my twin sister would like to read her favorite book that’s been back there for six months. Accomplished!

4. I will eat my breakfast without chocolate chips. My mother is tired of putting chocolate chips in my cereal. Still working on it. Chocolate Chips FOREVER!

5. My sisters (11 and 6) are old enough to go school. I will accept that. Still working on it! I want to go to school.

6. I will wear pants. Still working on it. Who needs pants when you have a bike helmet?

We’re on vacation! Not only are we starting off with excellent weather, we got a good shot taken by Mike on the very first night! Thanks, Daddy Shorts. 🙌🏻 First full day in paradise is on my story! #mommyshortsinmexico

There’s a new sculpture in Astor Place that broke my heart. It is called The Last Three. It’s 17 feet tall and represents the last three northern white rhinos on earth. Their names are Sudan, Nijan, and Fatu. Sudan is the last male. He is 45, which is the life expectancy for a rhino. His daughter is Nijan and his granddaughter is Fatu. Rhino horns are worth a ton of money so they are in constant threat of poachers. This public piece of art was created by artists Gillie and Marc with the hope of educating and inspiring others to care about the plight of the rhinos. It worked on me. Their aim is to collect 1 million goodbye messages on www.goodbyerhinos.org and put them towards a petition for approaching governments about eliminating the demand for rhino horns. Please like, comment and tag your friends to get this seen by as many people as possible and feel free to regram and share! 😥 #goodbyerhinos

New York is still freezing so instead of doing our usual ski trip in March, we decided to switch things up and go somewhere much warmer. Not sure when I’ll post on my feed, but you can follow along on my Instagram stories...🌴☀️🥝👙🦎⛱⛵️✈️🍹🤸‍♂️😎 #comingsoon

Sometimes I look at my Instagram account and think— man, this feed really needs some adults. Who is running this thing??? And because I know everyone is going to ask where @littlemissparty got her dress, I already asked. It’s vintage. She bought it when she was 19. Sucks for the rest of us! I got my shirt at Aritzia. Thanks for asking 🤣 Have you guys watched our Instagram lives together? I like doing it so much better with a friend! We are on a two week break because our schedules are all crazy but will do it again after that. What would you guys want us to talk about? Any questions for two NYC working moms???

Harlow has a very important message for everyone. Brought to you by Super Why, I think. Also, this impromptu performance was 100% because Harlow noticed me upping my intake of fruits and vegetables this week. 🍎🍌🥕💪🏻 #harlowunplugged #eathealthy